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Yogi Adityanath pays floral tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the GPO in Lucknow on National Unity Day. (Img: X)
Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday called for a collective fight against casteism, regionalism and what he described as Jinnahvaad, warning that divisions within society weaken national unity and create vulnerabilities.
Addressing a programme marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Chief Minister said that caste-based, regional and linguistic divisions weaken society's collective strength. Comparing social unity to the body's immunity, he said that just as weakened immunity makes the body vulnerable to disease, divisions make society vulnerable to external threats.
Taking aim at those who regard Muhammad Ali Jinnah as an ideal, Yogi said that people who seek to divide society cannot be considered true followers of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel's statue at the General Post Office (GPO) in Lucknow and administered the National Unity Day pledge to those present. Describing Patel as a freedom fighter, nationalist leader and architect of India's integration, Yogi said the pledge reflected the ideals for which the Iron Man of India had dedicated his life.
He noted that October 31 has been observed as National Unity Day since 2014, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call. The occasion is marked by the National Unity pledge, the Run for Unity and other activities aimed at promoting social harmony and national integration.
The Chief Minister also recalled the programmes organised last year to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.
Recalling Sardar Patel's contribution to national integration, Yogi said he played a decisive role in bringing more than 563 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence.
Referring to Junagadh and Hyderabad, the Chief Minister described the challenges faced by the country's leadership during the integration process. He said Patel's firm approach helped ensure that these territories became part of India.
Yogi also referred to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had facilitated the construction of the world's tallest statue to honour Patel's legacy. Located near the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada, the monument represents the stature and contribution of the national leader, he said.
The Chief Minister also raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, criticising former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru over the handling of the region after Independence and the subsequent introduction of Article 370.
Yogi alleged that Pakistan-backed tribal invaders attacked Kashmir and referred to the violence and displacement that accompanied the conflict. He also said that Dr BR Ambedkar had opposed Article 370, while accusing the Congress of making a major mistake by allowing the provision to remain in place.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, the Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah with fulfilling the vision of national integration associated with Sardar Patel and other leaders.
He said the removal of the special constitutional provision had brought Jammu and Kashmir on the same constitutional footing as other states. Invoking the principle of 'Ek Desh, Ek Pradhan, Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan', he said the move had ended the system of separate constitutional arrangements.
Turning to employment and economic development, Yogi Adityanath said the state government was working towards establishing an employment and industrial zone in every district.
He asserted that no young person in Uttar Pradesh would remain unemployed and said the government was systematically expanding skill-development and employment programmes to create better opportunities for the state's youth.
The proposed district-level industrial and employment zones, he said, would form part of the government's efforts to strengthen the state's economic and employment ecosystem.
The Chief Minister also alleged that attempts were being made to challenge national unity and undermine constitutional institutions. He called upon people to confront such challenges collectively and contribute towards strengthening the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'.
Congratulating MLA Shashank Verma for organising the programme, Yogi also paid tribute to his father and expressed confidence that people would continue working towards national unity and social cohesion.
Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Cabinet Ministers Swatantra Dev Singh and Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, Sports Minister Girish Chandra Yadav, Ministers of State Baldev Singh Aulakh, Manohar Lal 'Mannu Kori' and Kailash Rajput, Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Pal, MLAs Shashank Verma, Prabhat Verma and Rajendra Singh Patel, BJP State Vice-President Neeraj Singh, Mahanagar President Anand Dwivedi and other dignitaries attended the programme.
